By his own standards, Fedor Emelianenko was downright animated following his win over Frank Mir at Bellator 198 on Saturday.
Chicago, IL — As is well known by just about every MMA fan at this point, Fedor Emelianenko is a man of few words. He does his speaking in the ring, or the cage, as was the case at Bellator 198 last night. There, the heavyweight legend made short work of former UFC champion Frank Mir, knocking the hulking heavyweight out in the first round.
As expected, the smaller man had the edge in power, and after surviving an early scare, he sealed the deal. It set Fedor up for a chance at the heavyweight title in Bellator, though he’ll need to win two more fights to do it, with Chael Sonnen next. Speaking through a translator, ‘The Last Emperor’ said post-fight that though Sonnen acted in a challenging manner in the cage, the relationship between the two was actually quite cordial.
As to how the fight went on Saturday, he admitted that “I cannot say that the fight went the way I planned it,” though “generally speaking” he was satisfied with his performance.
Mir represented another former champion vanquished by the Russian great. “I don’t know what to answer,” Fedor said when asked where he places this win over Frank Mir in terms of his career. “Frank is a great fighter, he is a very thinking fighter, wasn’t a very [big] talker, and he is a very good, and great fighter today as well.”
On the response from the fans, and the possibility of becoming a world champion once again, Emelianenko said that “I will see if it’s God’s will, actually, to give me the joy and happiness of the victory.” Yet he understands that “it’s not only me, but there are a lot of people who support me, who cheer me, who pray for me as well.”
“It’s not only Russian people, there are Greeks, there are Serbians, there are people in America as well,” he continued. To be certain, the fans were fully in Fedor’s corner in Chicago, a surprise with his opponent, Frank Mir, being American. “And I was really surprised how warm, loved, and welcomed I was here. That’s why I’m really happy, and would like to thank all my fans.”
On talk that Bellator could head to Russia at some point, Fedor admitted that there were some talks prior to the fight. And more to come. “We’re going to meet and talk once again. We’ll see.”
Fans will now eagerly be awaiting Fedor’s showdown with Chael Sonnen, which will pit the stoic Russian against the trash-talking American in a classic clash of personalities.
